Increased activation of pelvic macrophages in infertile women with mild endometriosis

Pelvic fluid was collected from 66 women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization or diagnostic laparoscopy for evaluation of infertility. Cells consisting mainly of macrophages were separated, counted, and subjected to histochemical staining for acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase as markers of cell irritation. Pelvic fluid was analyzed for acid phosphatase, neutral protease, and extractable prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha. A higher proportion (46% versus 15%) of the macrophages in the group with mild endometriosis exhibited positive staining for acid phosphatase as compared with the fertile group. Pelvic fluid from patients with mild endometriosis had higher acid phosphatase and neutral protease activity than that from fertile patients (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01). The content of either prostaglandin was not significantly higher in the endometriosis group as compared with the fertile group. The results suggest that mild endometriosis is associated with activation of macrophages and release of active substances into peritoneal fluid that may be responsible for the associated infertility.

Cutaneous pilar leiomyoma: clinicopathologic analysis of 53 lesions in 45 patients

As cutaneous pilar leiomyomas have received little attention in the recent literature, 53 lesions from 45 patients were studied to analyze their clinicopathologic features. There was an equal distribution between both sexes; most patients were adults with a wide age distribution. Both multiple (29 lesions from 21 patients) and solitary tumors (18 patients) were included. Lesions on the extremity (29 tumors) were common in both groups, whereas truncal tumors (11) were confined largely to patients with multiple lesions. In six patients the number of lesions was not specified. The tumors were painful in 17 patients. Three patients had a positive family history of similar lesions. Histologic study revealed ill-defined bundles of well-differentiated smooth muscle cells in the reticular dermis in all cases, although nine lesions had a more nodular pattern. Overlying epidermal hyperplasia was noted in 29 cases (54.7%). Immunohistochemically there appeared to be an increased number of nerve fibers within and surrounding the tumors. Mitotic activity was observed in 15 lesions (28.3%), 13 of which had <1 mitosis per 10 high power fields (HPF); the remaining two lesions had 1-2 mitoses per 10 HPF. Follow-up was available in 10 of these mitotically active tumors and ranged from 9 months to 7 years. There was no recurrence in any of them. We have concluded tentatively that leiomyomas of arrector pili origin may exhibit a low mitotic activity of <1 per 10 HPF and that this does not adversely affect the prognosis for these patients.

Ventilatory assistance improves exercise endurance in stable congestive heart failure

We postulated that ventilatory assistance during exercise would improve cardiopulmonary function, relieve exertional symptoms, and increase exercise endurance (T(lim)) in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). After baseline pulmonary function tests, 12 stable patients with advanced CHF (ejection fraction, 24 +/- 3% [mean +/- SEM]) performed constant-load exercise tests at approximately 60% of their predicted maximal oxygen consumption (V O(2)max) while breathing each of control (1 cm H(2)O), continuous positive airway pressure optimized to the maximal tolerable level (CPAP = 4.8 +/- 0.2 cm H(2)O) or inspiratory pressure support (PS = 4.8 +/- 0.2 cm H(2)O), in randomized order. Measurements during exercise included cardioventilatory responses, esophageal pressure (Pes), and Borg ratings of dyspnea and leg discomfort (LD). At a standardized time near end-exercise, PS and CPAP reduced the work of breathing per minute by 39 +/- 8 and 25 +/- 4%, respectively (p < 0. 01). In response to PS: T(lim) increased by 2.8 +/- 0.8 min or 43 +/- 14% (p < 0.01); slopes of LD-time, V O(2)-time, V CO(2)-time, and tidal Pes-time decreased by 24 +/- 10, 20 +/- 11, 28 +/- 8, and 44 +/- 9%, respectively (p < 0.05); dyspnea and other cardioventilatory parameters did not change. CPAP did not significantly alter measured exercise responses. The increase in T(lim) was explained primarily by the decrease in LD- time slopes (r = -0.71, p < 0.001) which, in turn, correlated with the reductions in V O(2)-time (r = 0.61, p < 0.01) and tidal Pes-time (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). in conclusion, ventilatory muscle unloading with PS reduced exertional leg discomfort and increased exercise endurance in patients with stable advanced CHF.

Population-based active surveillance for neonatal group B streptococcal infections in Alberta, Canada: implications for vaccine formulation

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of circulating serotypes of group B Streptococcus (GBS) is important for formulation of vaccines. There are no Canadian data on the serotype distribution of neonatal GBS isolates.

METHODS

Using a retrospective laboratory and health record survey between 1993 and 1994 (before introduction of Canadian prevention guidelines) and prospective active laboratory-based surveillance from 1995 to 1999 of all laboratories in Alberta, we identified 168 cases of invasive neonatal GBS infections including stillbirths among 262,398 total births; 118 of 123 (96%) isolates from 1995 to 1999 were serotyped, and the corresponding neonatal health records were reviewed.

RESULTS

The average annual incidence was 0.64 of 1000 total births/year. Of these 95 (57%) had early onset disease (EOD), 15 (9%) were still births and 58 (34%) had late onset disease (LOD). Eighty-one percent of EOD cases were caused by serotypes Ia, Ia/c, Ia/c/R, III, III/R and V, V/R, whereas 81% of LOD cases were caused by serotypes III and III/R. GBS serotypes containing the C protein along with serotypes III and V as a group constituted 91% (107 of 118) of all GBS cases in our population. The most common clinical presentation was bacteremia without focus (74%) followed by meningitis (14%) and pneumonia (12%). During 1995 to 1999, in addition to 13 stillbirths, there were 6 of 64 (9%) neonatal deaths among EOD cases and 1 of 46 (2%) neonatal death among LOD cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study stillbirths account for a proportion of cases that are not routinely counted and represent a group for which intrapartum antibiotics would likely not be effective, but potentially preventable by vaccination. Inclusion of serotypes Ia, III and V in a conjugate vaccine or serotypes III and V conjugated with the C protein in a GBS vaccine could theoretically provide protection against the majority of GBS invasive disease in Alberta neonates.

Pelvic macrophages in normal and infertile women: the role of patent tubes

The volume of peritoneal fluid and its macrophage content were examined in 80 women undergoing laparoscopy. The amount of pelvic fluid was not dependent on the patency of the fallopian tubes, and no statistical difference in the fluid volume was observed between the infertile groups, including those with endometriosis, as compared to the fertile group. The number of pelvic macrophages in fertile women was extremely high during the menstrual period, and during the rest of the cycle, it remained at a basal level. The number of pelvic macrophages in women with occluded tubes was low. Four of 21 infertile patients with mild endometriosis had very high numbers of pelvic macrophages, even in the luteal phase. These results suggest that the passage of endometrial irritants through the tubes elicits a macrophage response in the peritoneal cavities of both normal women and patients with endometriosis. Although most patients with endometriosis had normal numbers of peritoneal macrophages, it is possible that these macrophages differ qualitatively from normal, and this could explain the associated infertility.

Ligand-induced interaction between alpha- and beta-type platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors: role of receptor heterodimers in kinase activation

Two types of PDGF receptors have been cloned and sequenced. Both receptors are transmembrane glycoproteins with a ligand-stimulatable tyrosine kinase site. We have shown earlier that ligand-induced activation of the beta-type PDGF receptor is due to the conversion of the monomeric form of the receptor to the dimeric form [Bishayee et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 11699-11705]. In the present studies, we have established the ligand-binding specificity of two receptor types and extended it further to investigate the ligand-induced association state of the alpha-receptor and the role of alpha-receptor in the activation of beta-receptor. These studies were conducted with cells that express one or the other type of PDGF receptor as well as with cells that express both types of receptors. Moreover, ligand-binding characteristics of the receptor were confirmed by immunoprecipitation of the receptor-125I-PDGF covalent complex with type-specific anti-PDGF receptor antibodies. These studies revealed that all three isoforms of PDGF bind to alpha-receptor, and such binding leads to dimerization as well as activation of the receptor. In contrast, beta-receptor can be activated only by PDGF BB and not by PDGF AB or PDGF AA. However, by using antipeptide antibodies that are specific for alpha- or beta-type PDGF receptor, we demonstrated that in the presence of alpha-receptor, beta-receptor kinase can be activated by PDGF AB. We present here direct evidence that strongly suggests that such PDGF AB induced activation of beta-receptor is due to the formation of a noncovalently linked alpha-beta receptor heterodimer.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections in two returning travellers in the Netherlands, May 2014

Two patients, returning to the Netherlands from pilgrimage in Medina and Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were diagnosed with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in May 2014. The source and mode of transmission have not yet been determined. Hospital-acquired infection and community-acquired infection are both possible.

Design and in vitro characterization of buccoadhesive drug delivery system of insulin

A buccoadhesive drug delivery system of Insulin was prepared by solvent casting technique and characterized in vitro by surface pH, bioadhesive strength, drug release and skin permeation studies. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose-DVP was chosen as the controlled release matrix polymer. The optimized formulation J₄ contained Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose-DVP 2% (w/v), insulin (50 IU/film), propylene glycol (0.25 ml) and Isopropyl alcohol: water (1:4) as solvent system. Bioadhesive strength of the prepared patches was measured on a modified physical balance using bovine cheek pouch as the model membrane. In vitro release studies were carried out at 37 ± 2° using phosphate buffer pH 6.6, in a modified dissolution apparatus fabricated for the purpose. Cumulative amount of drug released from the optimized formulation J₄ was 91.64% in 6 hours. In vitro permeation studies were carried out on J₄ at 37 ± 2° using Franz diffusion cell. Cumulative amount of drug permeated from J₄ was 6.63% in 6 hours. In order to enhance the permeation of protein drug, different permeation enhancers were evaluated. The results suggested that sodium deoxycholate 5% (w/v) was the best permeation enhancer among those evaluated. It enhanced the permeation of insulin from 6.63% to 10.38% over a period of 6 hours. The optimized patches were also satisfactory in terms of surface pH and bioadhesive strength. It can also be easily concluded that the system is a success as compared to the conventional formulations with respect to invasiveness, requirement of trained persons for administration and most importantly, the first pass metabolism.

Gingival crevicular fluid and plasma levels of neuropeptide Substance-P in periodontal health, disease and after nonsurgical therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The level of Substance-P in gingival crevicular fluid has been found to correlate with clinical measures of periodontal disease. The present study was designed to assess the relationship between clinical parameters and levels of Substance-P in the gingival crevicular fluid from inflamed gingiva, periodontitis sites and after treatment of periodontitis sites, and to correlate them to the Substance-P levels of plasma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty, age- and gender-matched subjects were divided into three groups (healthy, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis) based on modified gingival index scores and clinical attachment loss. A fourth group consisted of 10 subjects from the periodontitis group, 6-8 wk after initial therapy. Plasma and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected and quantified for Substance-P using an enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean concentration of Substance-P, both in gingival crevicular fluid and plasma, was observed to be highest in the periodontitis group (45.13 pg/mL in gingival crevicular fluid and 67.8 pg/mL in plasma) and lowest in the healthy group (6.07 pg/mL in gingival crevicular fluid and below the detection level in plasma). The mean Substance-P concentration in the gingivitis group (11.42 pg/mL in gingival crevicular fluid and 38.8 pg/mL in plasma) and in the after-treatment group (7.58 pg/mL in gingival crevicular fluid and 39.7 pg/mL in plasma) lay between the highest and lowest values. In all groups the gingival crevicular fluid levels showed a statistically significant positive correlation with that of plasma and clinical attachment loss.

CONCLUSION

Substance-P levels were highest in the gingival crevicular fluid from sites with periodontal destruction; however, periodontal treatment resulted in the reduction of Substance-P levels. Gingival crevicular fluid and plasma Substance-P levels showed a positive correlation in all of the groups.

Plasma Abeta, homocysteine, and cognition: the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention (VISP) trial

BACKGROUND

Amyloid-beta protein (Abeta) plays a key role in Alzheimer disease (AD) and is also implicated in cerebral small vessel disease. Serum total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for small vessel disease and cognitive impairment and correlates with plasma Abeta levels. To determine whether this association results from a common pathophysiologic mechanism, we investigated whether vitamin supplementation-induced reduction of tHcy influences plasma Abeta levels in the Vitamin Intervention in Stroke Prevention (VISP) study.

METHODS

Two groups of 150 patients treated with either the high-dose or low-dose formulation of pyridoxine, cobalamin, and folic acid in a randomized, double-blind fashion were selected among the participants in the VISP study without recurrent stroke during follow-up and in the highest 10% of the distribution for baseline tHcy levels. Concentrations of plasma Abeta with 40 (Abeta40) and 42 (Abeta42) amino acids were measured at baseline and at the 2-year visit.

RESULTS

tHcy levels significantly decreased with vitamin supplementation in both groups. tHcy were strongly correlated with Abeta40 but not Abeta42 concentrations. There was no difference in the change in Abeta40, Abeta42 (p = 0.40, p = 0.35), or the Abeta42/Abeta40 ratio over time (p = 0.86) between treatment groups. Abeta measures were not associated with cognitive change.

CONCLUSIONS

This double-blind randomized controlled trial of vitamin therapy demonstrates a strong correlation between serum tHcy and plasma Abeta40 concentrations in subjects with ischemic stroke. Treatment with high dose vitamins does not, however, influence plasma levels of Abeta, despite their effect on lowering tHcy. Our results suggest that although tHcy is associated with plasma Abeta40, they may be regulated by independent mechanisms.

Association between multiple respiratory viral infections and pediatric intensive care unit admission among infants with bronchiolitis

Background

It is unclear whether multiple respiratory viral infections are associated with more severe bronchiolitis requiring pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. We aimed to identify the association between multiple respiratory viral infections and PICU admission among infants with bronchiolitis.

Methods

We performed a 1:1 case-control study enrolling previously healthy full-term infants (≤12 months) with bronchiolitis admitted to the PICU as cases and those to the general pediatric ward as controls from 2015 to 2017. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of the respiratory viruses. We summarized the characteristics of infants admitted to the PICU and the general pediatric unit. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to fit the association between multiple respiratory viral infections (≥2 strains) and PICU admission.

Results

A total of 135 infants admitted to the PICU were compared with 135 randomly selected control infants admitted to the general pediatric unit. The PICU patients were younger (median: 2.2 months, interquartile range: 1.3–4.2) than the general ward patients (median: 3.2 months, interquartile range: 1.6–6.4). Respiratory syncytial virus (74.1%), rhinovirus (28.9%), and coronavirus (5.9%) were the most common viruses for bronchiolitis requiring PICU admission. Patients with bronchiolitis admitted to the PICU tended to have multiple viral infections compared with patients on the general ward (23.0% vs. 10.4%, P < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, bronchiolitis with multiple viral infections was associated with higher odds of PICU admission (adjusted odds ratio: 2.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.17–5.57, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Infants with multiviral bronchiolitis have higher odds of PICU admission compared with those with a single or nondetectable viral infection.

Record high levels of atmospheric ammonia over India: Spatial and temporal analyses

Atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) is an alkaline gas and a prominent constituent of the nitrogen cycle that adversely affects ecosystems at higher concentrations. It is a pollutant, which influences all three spheres such as haze formation in the atmosphere, soil acidification in the lithosphere, and eutrophication in water bodies. Atmospheric NH₃ reacts with sulfur (SO_x) and nitrogen (NO_x) oxides to form aerosols, which eventually affect human health and climate. Here, we present the seasonal and inter-annual variability of atmospheric NH₃ over India in 2008-2016 using the IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) satellite observations. We find that Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) is one of the largest and rapidly growing NH₃ hotspots of the world, with a growth rate of +1.2% yr^-1 in summer (June-August: Kharif season), due to intense agricultural activities and presence of many fertilizer industries there. However, our analyses show insignificant decreasing trends in annual NH₃ of about -0.8% yr^-1 in all India, about -0.4% yr^-1 in IGP, and -1.0% yr^-1 in the rest of India. Ammonia is positively correlated with total fertilizer consumption (r = 0.75) and temperature (r = 0.5) since high temperature favors volatilization, and is anti-correlated with total precipitation (r = from -0.2, but -0.8 in the Rabi season: October-February) as wet deposition helps removal of atmospheric NH₃. This study, henceforth, suggests the need for better fertilization practices and viable strategies to curb emissions, to alleviate the adverse health effects and negative impacts on the ecosystem in the region. On the other hand, the overall decreasing trend in atmospheric NH₃ over India shows the positive actions, and commitment to the national missions and action plans to reduce atmospheric pollution and changes in climate.

Clinical evaluation of a new art material: Nanoparticulated resin-modified glass ionomer cement

Context:

The success of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique depends on the restorative material; hence, clinical studies with various materials are necessary.

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to clinically evaluate and compare the nanoionomer and high-viscosity glass ionomer using United States Public Health Services (USPHS) Modified Cvar/Ryge Criteria with ART approach.

Materials and Methods:

Two primary molars in 50 healthy children aged between 5 and 8 years were selected for the study. The teeth were treated with ART and divided into two groups. The group 1 teeth were restored with nanoionomer (Ketac Nano 100 3M ESPE) and group 2 with high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (HVGIC), (Fuji IX GC). Each restoration was evaluated using the USPHS Modified Cvar/Ryge Criteria at baseline and 6 months’ and 12 months’ time interval.

Statistical analysis used:

Chi-squared (χ²) test.

Results:

Nanoionomer was significantly better than HVGIC with respect to color match at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months (P<0.001). Nanoionomers were also significantly better than HVGIC in case of cavosurface marginal discoloration and marginal adaptation (P<0.001) at 6 months and 12 months. There was no significant difference between the two materials with respect to secondary caries at 6 months (P>0.05), but at 12 months, nanoionomer was statistically better than HVGIC (P<0.05). There was no statistical significant difference with respect to anatomical form and postoperative sensitivity (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

The results indicate that nanoionomer can be a successful alternative restorative material for use with ART technique.

Characterization of a novel epidermal-growth-factor-receptor-related 200-kDa tyrosine kinase in tumor cells

We have detected a tyrosine-phosphorylated 200-kDa protein in two human tumor cell lines, A1235 glioma and A172 glioblastoma. The protein is an integral plasma membrane sialoglycoprotein with tyrosine kinase activity. The interesting characteristic of this protein (gp200) is that it is recognized by a number of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the 170-kDa epidermal-growth-factor (EGF) receptor; however, it lacks detectable EGF-binding activity. gp200 differs from three other EGF-receptor-related proteins, erb-B-2, erb-B-3 and erb-B-4 gene products, and hence appears to be yet another member of the EGF-receptor family of proteins. This is further strengthened by the fact that both gp200 and the EGF receptor contain a common epitope which is recognized by an anti-peptide IgG to the beta-type platelet-derived-growth-factor (PDGF) receptor. Our previous studies [Bishayee, S., Majumdar, S., Scher, C.D. & Khan, S. (1988) Mol. Cell. Biol. 8, 3696-3702] have demonstrated that this epitope in the PDGF receptor is highly susceptible to the phosphorylation state of the receptor and that such a conformational change appears to be important in biological message transmission. The expression of gp200, which appears to have tyrosine kinase activity and is immunologically related to the EGF receptor in tumor cells, suggests its possible involvement in cell growth.

Comparative Analysis of Clinical and Genomic Characteristics of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae from Hospital and Community Settings: Experience from a Tertiary Healthcare Center in India

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a hypermucoviscous phenotype of classical Klebsiella pneumoniae (cKp) that causes serious infections in the community. The recent emergence of multidrug-resistant hvKp isolates (producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases) along with other virulence factors in health care settings has become a clinical crisis. Here, we aimed to compare the distribution of virulence determinants and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in relation to various sequence types (STs) among the clinical hvKp isolates from both settings, to reinforce our understanding of their epidemiology and pathogenic potential. A total of 120 K. pneumoniae isolates confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry were selected. hvKp was phenotypically identified by string test and genotypically confirmed by the presence of the iucA gene using PCR. Molecular characterization of hvKp isolates was done by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Of the K. pneumoniae isolates, 11.6% (14/120) isolates were confirmed as hvKp by PCR (9.1% [11/120] string positive and 3.3% [4/120] positive by both methods); these were predominantly isolated from bloodstream infection (50%, 7/14), urinary tract infection (29%, 4/14), and respiratory tract infection (21%, 3/14). For all 14 hvKp infections, for 14.2% the source was in the community and for 85.7% the source was a health care setting. Two virulent plasmids were identified by WGS among the hvKp isolates from both settings. K64 was found to be the commonest capsular serotype (28.5%, 4/14), and ST2096 was the most common ST (28.5%, 4/14) by WGS. Two new STs were revealed: ST231 (reported to cause outbreaks) and ST43. The genome of one isolate was determined to be carrying AMR genes (blaCTX-M-15, blaNDM-1, blaNDM-5, blaOXA-181, blaOXA-232, etc.) in addition to virulence genes, highlighting the clonal spread of hvKp in both community and health care settings. IMPORTANCE To date, studies comparing the genomic characteristics of hospital- and community-acquired hvKp were very few in India. In this study, we analyzed the clinical and genomic characteristics of hvKp isolates from hospital and community settings. ST2096 was found as the most common ST along with novel STs ST231 and ST43. Our study also revealed the genome is simultaneously carrying AMR as well as virulence genes in isolates from both settings, highlighting the emergence of MDR hvKp STs integrated with virulence genes in both community and health care settings. Thus, hvKp may present a serious global threat, and essential steps are needed to prevent its further dissemination.

Second primary malignancy: A retrospective analysis report from a tertiary cancer center of North India

AIM OF STUDY

We analyzed the data of second primary malignancy (SPM) from one of the tertiary cancer centers of North India, and the basic aim was to retrieve incidence, prognosis, and outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology in a tertiary cancer center between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015. A total of 6000 cases of cancer were analyzed, out of which cases who presented with histological proven synchronous SPM were included in this study.

RESULTS

The present study showed three cases (8.1%) of SPM who are attributed to field carcinogenesis. There were five cases in which metachronous malignancy develops in the previous radiation therapy field. There is 26% of synchronous malignancy as compared to 74% of metachronous malignancy. In the present study, most diagnosed synchronous malignancies were carcinoma breast, while in metachronous malignancies, carcinoma breast and gynecological cancers were most common.

CONCLUSIONS

SPMs are not very rare. Hence, pretreatment and follow-up evaluation should be meticulous to rule out SPMs.

Murine experimental autoimmune oophoritis develops independently of gonadotropin stimulation and is primarily localized in the stroma and theca

PROBLEM

Neonatal thymectomy performed on day 3 of life (NTX3) induces experimental autoimmune oophoritis in certain strains of mice. The disease has its onset around the time of the first estrous, suggesting the process may be gonadotropin dependent. Furthermore, one study reported that gonadotropin stimulation exacerbated the ovarian lymphocytic infiltration in NTX3 mice. Here we examine the possibility that gonadotropin stimulation of the ovary plays a role in the development of post-thymectomy autoimmune oophoritis.

METHOD

Using immunohistochemistry we defined the time course and histologic distribution of the post-thymectomy ovarian lymphocytic infiltration that develops in B6A mice ([C57BL6 X A/J]F1). We detected ovarian leukocytes using a monoclonal antibody against mouse CD45/T200 and counted those positive staining cells that had the morphologic appearance of lymphocytes. We then treated NTX3 mice to determine if gonadotropin stimulation could exacerbate the disease or cause the disease to appear earlier. We also treated NTX3 mice to determine if gonadotropin suppression could reduce the severity of the disease.

RESULTS

Ovarian lymphocytic infiltration was observed as early as 3 weeks after thymectomy, and, during the course of the disease, was primarily located in the stroma and theca. Gonadotropin stimulation did not exacerbate existing disease or induce an earlier onset of severe disease. Furthermore, gonadotropin suppression did not reduce the degree of lymphocytic infiltration or oocyte destruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that murine experimental autoimmune oophoritis develops independently of gonadotropin stimulation of the ovary.